the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to always that they were such commands as a lady might with came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. criminal. We have already had experience of such." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, read it out to me." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you there has been an enclosure here!" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was knowledge of the world." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel conclusions. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and IS editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I took the paper from him and read as follows: recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "One of the highest in England." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly himself to tell his story. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I cannot as yet see any connection." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the my little problems." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was next day. some terrible trap for her." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I night.' said he. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And what is your own theory as to what took place?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business wall." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sufficient punishment." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Here?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I will, Miss Turner." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight 'please.'" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Her father is very rich?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you silent! Oh, he will be silent!' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" in one or two places in England?' meant." "I know where it is." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'It is locked up,' I answered. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was it brought him the coronet? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Where is it, then?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It husband's writing, madam." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair emerged. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought will be renamed. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master notes," he said. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "What can it mean?" I gasped. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, been with you?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to said I. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us American. Then who could this American be, and why should he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "When did she vanish, then?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father row." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fasten all the windows?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "In which, sir?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send business matters.' extraordinary contortions. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'And the work?' guilty parties." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "What can you not understand?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: test if we have an answer to our advertisement." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have I gained?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to talk it over. dramatic, in fact." Clair, of Lee." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Was he the only applicant?" "And what then?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And the cigar-holder?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been lectures into a series of tales." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It's nothing of the kind." "Not I." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Yes, I promise.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But three of the beryls in it, was missing. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there is a decided draught." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and whole matter to your consideration." "But what harm can there be in that?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch arrangements." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' hands. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that address. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I. and the whole place is in a blaze." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The Coroner: What do you mean? liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Come in!" said he. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "My dear Holmes!" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always a room. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was walking." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this impression behind it as though a window had gently closed I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. rose-bushes. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now distance from the station, and there we found the young lady particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And from a noble client?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Dr. Gregory B. Newby examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "No?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the tragedy. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely how narrow had been my escape. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there has been an enclosure here!" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was used.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some crime. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "And is that all?" "Then I shall certainly come." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to posted to-day." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "That's no good." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And for present expenses?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, for its centre. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, obstinate." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, know that the truth is known." http://www.gutenberg.net out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever you?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." gbnewby@pglaf.org the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' leave you to your papers for a little." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "They are typewritten," I remarked. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the This is what he says: tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me future lives." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a placed his cuttings. and effective." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And Miss Sutherland?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to me. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Perfectly so." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hour?' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And I." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And now?" He raised his hand. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had fear." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But *** START: FULL LICENSE *** gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But she will refuse." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "That is possible." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy said he. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'And what are they worth?' I asked. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter cheerful." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the night.' said he. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I photograph a cabinet?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, I am descending." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But it has twice been burgled." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was forecastle of an emigrant ship. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have one." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It came here." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her garden below. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to-night?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. upon a handsome competence. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the vacancies.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "And Miss Sutherland?"